Substantial tech upgrades for Audi’s sporty small hatch and sedan offset a slight price rise, to give an already-sharp package a new edge.

WHAT IS IT? The Audi S3 is Audi’s accessible C-segment performance offering, and a consistently popular model within the broader Audi A3 line-up.

Now halfway through its lifespan and the recipient of a cosmetic nip n’ tuck, the 2017 S3 range – which includes manual and automatic sedan and hatch variants – gets a minor power boost and an extensive standard equipment upgrade to keep it competitive.

Prices jump up by $1800 for the S3 Sportback, and $1100 for the S3 sedan.

Audi -S3-front

PLUS: Grippy performance, exceptional comfort on Magnetic Ride suspension, new safety and interior tech MINUS: Choppy ride on standard dampers, S tronic auto won’t hold onto gears

THE WHEELS VERDICT The current-generation S3 arguably had the formula right from the beginning, but new equipment for 2017 adds a sharper edge to the S3 Sportback and Sedan’s offering. Performance upgrades are relatively minor, but buyers will relish the added tech.

Audi -S3-rear -side

And that’s not exactly true of Audi’s popular all-paw hot hatch. It didn’t necessarily need to be changed, but Audi’s gone ahead and done so anyway. The A3 is entering middle age, after all – there are bound to be a few small wrinkles here and there.

Audi -S3-driving -rear -side

Even the engine is largely untouched; gaining a paltry 3kW and precisely zero Newton metres to bring outputs to 213kW and 380Nm. Did it need more grunt? Not really, though the fact that Euro-market S3s make 228kW and 400Nm stings us a little.

Audi -S3-driving -side

On the road, though, the S3’s power levels are plentiful. It’s perfect for squirting through mountain passes, thanks to its near-lagless turbo response, quick steering ratio and exceptional grip. The quattro AWD hardware has been tweaked for 2017 too, with Audi’s boffins instructing it to send more torque to the rear axles more of the time. It feels a lot less front-biased in its power delivery as a result.

2017-Audi -S3-interior

And that electronic instrument panel is no gimmick either. For the S3, Audi has bestowed a sports-oriented default layout with a large central tachometer, and clear digital speed readout in the middle. When hurtling from corner to corner, it’s ideal for keeping tabs on how close you are to shredding your licence.

Audi -S3-interior

The standard suspension is also relentlessly firm. It’s worth splurging extra to get the optional Magnetic Ride dampers – they iron out bumpy roads so effectively, it makes an S3 shod with 19s feel more compliant than a base model A3 on 16-inch alloys.

And specced as such, it’s a do-it-all device that’ll blast up the side of a mountain and take you to work and back without any complaint – all while packing space for four adults and their luggage. It’s as versatile as it’s ever been, and that’s why we love the S3.

SPECS Model: 2017 Audi S3 Sportback quattro S tronic Engine: 1984cc in-line 4-cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo petrol Max power: 213kW at 5400-6500rpm Max torque: 380Nm at 1850-5300rpm Transmission: 7sp dual-clutch automatic Kerb weight: 1505kg 0-100km/h: 4.8sec (claimed) Fuel economy: 6.6 l/100km (claimed) Price: $62,900 On sale: Now